Shelby Ann Peace

Community-Based DSP's support individuals in learning basic social skills, self-care, communication, exploring interest, and integrating into their community by accompanying them into the community. Outings are diverse and include recreational opportunities, volunteering, music and art classes, social events, and more in both indoor and outdoor settings.

Group Day DSPs support individuals in a variety of social and leisure activities both at the center as well as planning monthly community outings. The goal of these activities is to help learn basic social skills, self-care, communication, and explore interests.

Author: Shelby Ann Peace Radford University, Honors Capstone This capstone project investigates systemic failures in Virginia’s domestic violence response system through a case study of Janina Jefferson, a mother of three murdered by her estranged husband, Eric Jones, in 2016. Despite Jones’s extensive criminal history—including a prior attempted murder conviction, multiple probation violations, and recent strangulation and assault charges—he was released on bond without a formal lethality assessment. Jefferson had sought legal protection through a protective order, but enforcement was weak, and no structured risk evaluation was conducted, exposing fatal flaws in Virginia’s approach to domestic violence cases. The paper argues for two critical reforms: Mandating the Lethality Assessment Program (LAP) at key judicial decision points (such as bail and protective order hearings). LAP is a validated tool shown to significantly reduce domestic violence homicides when applied consistently. Creating the Court-Appointed Risk Advocate (CARA) role. Inspired by the CASA model in child welfare, CARA would conduct formal risk assessments, monitor compliance with protective orders, and ensure that courts receive complete and objective risk information during decision-making processes. The project integrates qualitative and quantitative research, comparative case studies (e.g., Tara O'Shea-Watson, Jessica Gonzales), and policy analysis to demonstrate how the proposed CARA model—working alongside victim witness coordinators—can bridge gaps in judicial accountability and victim protection. A phased implementation strategy, including funding, training, and interagency coordination, is also outlined. Ultimately, the project calls for a unified, proactive system that prioritizes evidence-based risk evaluation and judicial responsiveness to prevent future tragedies like Janina Jefferson’s.